Push button door handles adapted for use on the doors of automobiles, refrigerators, and the like



March 27, 1956 G. v. JAKEWAY 2,739,831

PUSH BUTTON DOOR HANDLES ADAPTED FOR USE ON THE DOORS OF AUTOMOBILES, REFRIGERATORS, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 29. 1953 INVENTOR,

Ge/w/d 1/ c/d/few/ FUSH BUTT ON D0011 HANDLES ADAPTED FOR USE N THE DOORS OF AUTOMOBILES, REFRIGERATORS, AND THE LIKE erald V. .lakeway, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to This invention relates to push button door handles adapted for use on the doors of automobiles, refrigerators and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a push button door handle which is adapted for use on automobile doors, refrigerator doors and the like and which comprises relatively few parts and parts which may be readily and quickly assembled to produce a handle which is strong and durable and at the same time is attractive in appearance.

Second, to provide a door handle having these advantages which may be assembled as a unit and quickly applied and secured to a door for which it is adapted by the adjustment or manipulation of a single screw.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a door handle embodying my invention, partially in section on a line corresponding to line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an inverted or bottom view of the handle with parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the handle on a line corresponding to 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the outer body member partially in longitudinal section.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the mounting bracket with the push button stem guide mounted thereon.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section on a line corresponding to line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on a line corresponding to line 77 of Fig. 2.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises an outer body member 1 having an inwardly ofiset rear portion 2 and an inwardly offset front portion 3, the portion intermediate these offset portions constituting the grip portion 4. The body member 1 which is of generally inwardly facing channel section has a top wall 5 and similarly shaped side walls 6. At its front end the body member is provided with a forwardly projecting inclined flange-like portion 7.

The inwardly projecting portion of the top wall of the rear end thereof has angularly disposed flattened portions 8. At its front end the top wall of the body member 1 is provided with a push button opening 9 and adjacent thereto with an inwardly offset flattened portion 10. The purpose of these flattened portions will be pointed out.

The bracket 11 comprises a base portion 12 and an outwardly projecting angled arm 13, the arm terminating in a rearwardly projecting flange 14 disposed on the inner side of the offset portion and fixedly secured thereto as by spot welds 15. At its front end the bracket is provided with a flange 16 disposed at an anglecorresponding to the inclined flange 7 at the front end of the body member 1 and fixedly secured thereto as by the spot weld 18. The base portion of the bracket is provided with a rearwardly inclined portion19 formed by a boss in the bracket and having a threaded opening 20 to receive the attaching screw 21. The base portion 12 of the bracket 11 has notches 121 in the opposed edges thereof. These notches receive the lugs 122 which project inwardly from the side walls 6 of the inwardly offset front portion 3. The flange portion 14 of the bracket 11 has notches 141 in the opposed edges thereof. These notches receive the lugs 142 which project inwardly from the side walls 6 of the grip portion 4.

At its rear end the handle is provided with a lug-like attaching element 22 which offset rear portion.

portion 23 disposed on the inner side of the angle portions 8 of the top wall and fixedly secured thereto by the spot welds 24.

The inner body member 25 is provided with outwardly offset flanges 26 on its edges and is conformed so that these flanges fit against the inner edges of the side walls the outer body member and has inturned flanges 28 retainingly engaging the inwardly offset edge portions of the inner body member 25.

The edges of the shell are spun or clamped around the edges of the inner body member and also around the edges of the portions of the outer body member extending beyond the ends of the inner body member as is shown at 29 and 30, see Fig. 1.

The outer shell has a push button opening 31 registering with the opening 9 in the outer body member and having an inturned flange 32 fitting within the opening 9.

The push button 33 is disposed within the push button opening and is provided with a stem 34 which is slidably supported and fittingly received in the tubular guide 35 fixedly mounted on the base portion of the bracket 11.

A coil spring 37 embraces the stem and the guide to bias the push button outwardly. A stop 38 on the inner end of the stern limits the outward movement of the push button.

In the accompanying drawing 39 represents a door and 40 the front panel thereof. A reinforcing and attaching plate 41 is secured on the inner side of the door panel 40 and is provided with an opening 42 through which the attaching element 22 of the handle may be disposed. The front edge of the opening has an inclined camming portion 43 coacting with the inner inclined end of the ing 44 through which the push button stem guide 35 projects. This is aligned with the latch actuating element 45, the latch mechanism being conventionally illustrated at 46. The plate 41 is provided with an offset portion 47 slotted at 48 to receive the screw 21. This screw being disposed at an angle acts to clamp the handle against the door panel and at the same time move the handle forwardly pressing the attaching element 22 against the camming portion 43 of the plate so that the handle is clamped to the door merely by the adjustment of the screw 21. The screw is accessible through an opening 49 in the edge of the door. screw is inaccessible. Commonly the latch .isrprovided with a locking means. my present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated the several parts of the handle are formed as sheet metal stampings. 'However;

they may be formed as die castings.

Patented Mar. 27, 1956 projects from the inwardly The element 22 has an angled body When the door is. closed this Y However, that forms no part of not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it' is believed that this disclosure will top and sidewallsand being generally of inwardly facing channel/section, and including a central grip portion and.

inwardly, offset front andrear portions, and having a fortwardlyprojecting flangeinwardly inclined as it extends forwardly, the top wallat its rear end having flattened angularly disposedportions, the side walls of the-inwardly offset front portion having opposed inwardly projecting,

lugs, :the.top wall having an inset portion adjacent. to and reanwardly, of-saidinwardly offset front portion, the side wallshavingopposedinwardly projecting lugs at the side edg'estof-such. inset portion, the top wall having'a push button .,opening,.adjacentrits frontend, a bracket comprising a base portion and an outwardly extending arm portion-,;.said..bracket having outwardly extending flanges along its opposed sideedges, said bracket base portion haying azportion inclined outwardly as it extends forwardly adapted to receive an attaching screw, said bracket base portion having a flange inclined inwardly as it extends forwardly and disposed on the inner-side of said flange at .the front end of. said body member and fixedly secured thereto, thearm portion of the bracket having a rearwardlyprojecting flange at its outer end disposed on the inner side of said inwardly offset front. portion of said top wall'and fixedly secured thereto, said bracket having notches'in the edges thereof receiving the first and the second-mentioned inwardly projecting lugs on said side walls, an .attaching element secured within said inwardly offset rear portion of said body member to project therefrom. and-having anangled body portion disposed against andnfixedlysecured to said angled portions of said top wall,-a tubular push button stern guide onsaid bracket.

and a spring biased push button disposed in said opening and provided .witha stem reciprocable in said guide.

2.1A door handle comprising a body member having top-and sidewalls and being generally of inwardly facing channel section, and includinga central grip portion and inwardly-offset front and rear portions, and having a forwardly projecting flange inwardly inclined as it extends forwardly, the top wall at its rear end having flattened' angularly disposed portions, the top wall having a push: button opening adjacent. its front end, a bracket comprising a .base portion and an outwardly extending arm-portion, said bracket having outwardly extending flanges along its opposed side edges, said bracket base portionrhaving a portion inclined outwardly as it extends forwardly adapted to receive vanattaching screw, said bracket base portion having a flange inclined inwardly as it extends forwardly and disposed on the inner side of saiduflange' at the front end of said body member and fixedly: secured therero, the' arm portion of the bracket having .a rearwardly projecting flange at its outer end disposedon'the inner side of said top wall and fixedly secured-thereto, an attaching element secured within said inwardly offset rear portion. of said body member to project-therefrom and having an angled body portion disposedagainst: and fixedly secured to said angularly disposed portionsuof said top wall, a tubular push button stem on:said bracket, and a spring biased push button disposed insaid opening and provided with a stem reciprocable'vinzsaid guide.

3; A dour-handle comprising an outer body member havingaop and side'. walls andbeing generally of inwardly facing channel section, and including a central grip portionrand inlwardiy offset front and rear portions, and havingaeforwardlyprojecting flangeinwardly'iuclined as it extends forwardly, the.:;-top..wall having a push button openingradjacentitsfront end; a. bracketcomprising a base portion :andr-anoutwardly extending arm portion, said bracket base portion having a portion inclined outwardly as it extends forwardly adapted to receive an attaching screw, said bracket base portion having a flange inclined inwardly as it extends forwardly and disposed on the inner side of said flange at the front end of said outer body member and fixedly secured thereto, the arm portion of the bracket having a rearwardly projecting flange at its outer end disposed .on the inner side. of said top wall and fixedly secured thereto, an attaching element secured within said inwardly offset rear portion of said body memberto project therefrom,- an inner body member conformed tofit against the: inner edges of said grip portion and inwardly offset. front and rear portions of said outer body member, a shell of inwardly facing channel section embracin'gssaid outer body member and having its edges retainingly folded upon the edges of said inner body member, said shell having a push button opening therein. surrounded. by an inturned flange fitting within saidxpush button opening of said outer body member, a tubular push button stem guide on said bracket, and a spring biased push-buttondisposed in said opening of said shell and provided with a stem reciprocable in said guide.

4. A door handle comprisingan outer body member having topand side walls and including a central grip portion and inwardly. offset front and rear portions, the top Wall having a push button. opening'adjacent its front end, a bracket disposed between the side walls and comprisinga base portion secured atits front end to the front end of said outer-body member and having an outwardly extending arm portion secured to the inner side of said top wall of the outer body member, said bracket base portion being adapted toreceive an attaching screw, an attaching element secured within said inwardly offset rear portion of said outer body member to project therefrom, an inner body member conformed to fit against the inner edges of said grip portion and inwardly offset front and rear portion of said outer body member, a shell of inwardly facing channel section. embracing said outer body member and having its edges retainingly folded upon the edges of said inner body member, said shell having a push button opening therein surrounded by an inturned flange fitting within said push button opening of said outer body member, a push button stem guide on said bracket in alignment with said push button opening of said shell, a spring biased push button disposed in said opening of said shell and providedwith a stem-reciprocable in said guide.

5. A door handle comprising a body member having top and side walls and being generally of inwardly facing channel section, and including a central grip portion and inwardly offset front and rear portions, the top wall having a push button opening adjacent its front end, a bracket comprising a baseportion secured at its front end to the front end of said body member and having an outwardly extending arm secured withinthe body member, said bracket base portion being adapted to receive an attaching screw, an attaching element secured within said inwardly offset rear portion of said body member to project therefrom, a tubular push button stem guideprojecting through and fixedly secured to the base portion of the bracket and disposed-in alignment with said push button opening, a pushbutton disposed in said opening and provided with a stem reciprocable in said guide, a coil spring disposed between the push button and the base portion of the bracket and embracingsaidstem guide and acting to bias said push button toprojected position, said stem guide fittingly receiving and guidingly supporting the stem for a substantial distance extending outwardly from the bracket base portion, and a'stop'on'the inner end of said stem-coacting with the innerend of said guide'to limit the. projecting movement of the push button.

6. A door handle comprising an outer bodymember having top and sidewalls and being. generally of inwardly facing channelsection and including a central grip portion and inwardly" offset front and rear portions having an attaching flange at the front end, a bracket comprising a base portion attached to said outer body member and an arm at the rear of the base portion secured within said body member, an inner body member conformed to the inner edges of said grip portion and inwardly offset front and rear portions of said outer body member and in supported engagement therewith, a shell of inwardly facing channel section embracing said outer body member and having its edges retainingly folded upon the edges of said inner body member, said outer body member and shell having registering push button openings therein, a push button stem guide on said bracket aligned with said push button opening, a spring biased push button disposed in said opening and provided with a stem reciprocable in said guide, and an attaching screw having threading engagement with said bracket.

7. A door handle comprising a body member having top and side walls and being generally of inwardly facing channel section and including a central grip portion and inwardly offset front and rear portions having an attaching flange at the front end, a bracket comprising a base portion attached to the front end of said outer body member and an arm at the rear of the base portion secured within said body member, said body member having a push button opening therein, a tubular push button stem guide mounted on said bracket in alignment with said push button opening, a push button disposed in said opening and provided with a stem reciprocable in said guide, a coil spring supportingly embracing said stern guide and acting to bias said push button to projected position, said stem guide fittingly receiving and guidingly supporting the stem for a substantial distance extending outwardly from the bracket base portion, and a stop on the inner end of said stem coacting with the inner end of the guide to limit the projecting movement of the push button.

8. In a door handle, a chambered body member having top and side walls, and including a central grip portion and inwardly offset front and rear portions, the top wall having a push button opening adjacent its front end, a bracket disposed in the front portion between the side walls and fixedly secured to the body member and having a base portion disposed in spaced relation to the top wall and having an opening therethrough aligned with the push button opening, a tubular push button stem guide disposed in said opening in said base member and fixedly secured therein in alignment with said push button opening, a push button disposed in said push button opening and provided with a latch operating stem reciprocable in said guide, and a coil spring disposed between the base portion and the push button and embracing the stem guide and acting to bias the push button outwardly of the push button opening, said stern guide fittingly receiving and laterally supporting the stem.

9. A door handle comprising a chambered body mem her having top and side walls and including a central grip portion and inwardly oifset front and rear portions and having a forwardly projecting flange at its front end, said body member having a push button opening adjacent its front end, a mounting bracket disposed within said body member and comprising a forwardly and rearwardly extending base portion and an outwardly extending arm portion, said bracket base portion being adapted to receive an attaching screw and having a flange disposed on the inner side of said flange at the front end of said body member and fixedly secured thereto, the arm portion of the bracket having a rearwardly projecting flange at its outer end disposed on the inner side of said top wall and fixedly secured thereto, an attaching element secured within said inwardly oifset rear portion of said chambered body member to project therefrom and a spring biased push button disposed in said opening and provided with a stem slidably supported by said bracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,129 Haan, Jr. -a Jan. 19, 1937 2,234,810 Simpson Mar. 11, 1941 2,573,679 Allen Nov. 6, 1951 2,605,630 Keeler Aug. 5, 1952 2,606,783 Roethel Aug. 12, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 822,795 Germany Nov. 29, 1951 

